Acute Effects Of Blood Flow Restriction On Peak Power Across Gender, Athletic Status, Body Composition

PURPOSE: This study examined the influence of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) on muscular peak power across gender, athletic status, and body composition. METHODS: Thirty-nine young males (N = 20) and females (N = 19) underwent two Wingate tests, one with BFR and one without. Body composition was assessed before the tests. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in muscular peak power with or without BFR. Time to maximal speed was longer (P = 0.016), and total energy output was higher without BFR (P < 0.001). After adjusting for leg lean mass, these results persisted (P < 0.001). Males displayed greater peak power than females (P < 0.001 for both BFR conditions), which, after adjusting for leg lean mass, was significant only with BFR (P = 0.039). Without BFR, strength/power and intermittent high-intensity athletes surpassed endurance athletes in absolute peak power (P = 0.018 and 0.044, respectively), a gap that reduced with BFR (P = 0.160 and 0.400, respectively). After adjusting for leg lean mass, strength/power and intermittent high-intensity athletes showed higher peak power in both conditions (without BFR: P = 0.002 and 0.002; with BFR: P = 0.025 and 0.046, respectively). No significant power difference existed between non-athletes and endurance athletes, regardless of BFR or lean mass adjustments. Peak power was positively correlated with leg lean mass (without BFR: R = 0.873, P < 0.001; with BFR: R = 0.915, P < 0.001), and negatively correlated with body fat percentage (Without BFR: R = -0.518, P < 0.001; with BFR: R = -0.489, P = 0.004), a correlation that weakened after adjusting for lean mass (without BFR: R = -0.355, P = 0.027; with BFR: R = -0.381, P = 0.029). When gender was included in the analysis, the significance persisted both without BFR (R = -0.790, P < 0.001) and with BFR (R = -0.831, P < 0.001) while the correlation was more influenced by gender (P < 0.001 for both conditions) than by body fat percentage (without BFR: P = 0.453; With BFR: P = 0.685). However, after adjusting for leg lean mass, the correlation became insignificant when gender was included. CONCLUSIONS: BFR doesn't directly alter muscular peak power but impacts performance factors like the time to maximum speed and total energy production. Body composition and gender may affect power metrics, emphasizing their consideration in BFR training and rehabilitation.